Electric igniting mechanism for internal-combustion engines.



A. A. KENT ELECTRIC IGNITING' MECHANISM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES. APPLICATION FILED JULY 5. 1912.

1 1 92,788. Patented July 25, 1916.

ISIIEETS-SHEET 1.

110 110 .110 I 10 10a F J .103 526 r .102 107 J09 9 J07 g8 112 15 11 J00 I} J6 I mm 1 ya} I v WITNESSES ATTORNEY A. A. KENT. ELECTRIC IGNITING MECHANISM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 5.1912.

Patented July 25, 1916.

ISHEETS-SHEET 2.

A. A. KENT.

ELECTRIC IGNITING MECHANISM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 5.1912.

1,1 92,788. Patented July 25, 1916.

lSHEETS-SNEET 3.

A. A. KENT. ELECTRIC IGNITING MECHANISM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES. APPLICATION FILED JULY 5. mm.

1 1 92,788. Patented July 25, 1916.

7SHEETSSHEET 4.

a6 INVENTOR WITNESSES ATTORNEY A. A. KENT.

ELECTRIC IGNITING MECHANISM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED lULY 5. 1912.

1 1 92,788. Patented July 25, 1916.

ISHEETS-SHEET 5.

INVENTOR WITNESSES BY Mw JQM ATTORNEY A. A. KENT.

ELECTRIC IGNITING MECHANISM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 5. 1912.

1 1 92,788. Patented July 25, 1916.

ISHEETS-SHEET 6.

INVENTOR A. A. KENT. ELECTRIC IGNITING MECHANISM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES. APPLICATION FILED IULY 5 I9I2. 1 ,1923'88, Patented July 25, 1916.

ISHEETSSHELT I.

r I 55 QQQ INVENTOR WITNESSES ATTORNEY UNITED STATES PATENT oEEIoE.

'ARTI IUR ATWATER KENT, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

ELECTRIC IGNITING MECHANISM FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES.

T all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ARTHUR ATWATER KENT, a citizen of the United States, and

V Internal-Combustion Engines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact disclosure.

It is well known that the point, in the stroke of an internal combustion engine, at which the spark, which ignites the explosive mixture in the cylinder, should be produced in order to effect a proper and efficient operation of the engine, depends upon the speed of the engine, and that a change of speed i. 0., from one speed to a higher speed, or to a lower speed, necessitates a change in the point where, or time when the spark should be produced. When the speed of an engine is increased from a speed, at which the explosion is being produced at the proper time to produce the most efficient results, the spark should be advanced or produced correspondingly earlier in the stroke, while if the speed be similarly decreased, the spark should be retarded or produced later in the stroke.

Between the practical limits of the speed of an internal combustion engine, such as is used in an automobile, in which the speed is required to vary greatly, in order to produce speeds, in the vehicle, from say, three miles an hour up to or even higher than sixty or seventy miles an hour, the amount which the spark should be advanced between such limits, has been foundto be substantially proportional to the speed of the engine between those limits. Thus the advance of the spark required in changing from a speed of ten miles an hour to one of twenty miles an hour would be substantially one-half that which would be required when the speed changes from ten to forty miles an hour, and the converse is correspondingly true in making similar changes from a higher to adower speed.

The necessity for the advancing or retar-ding of the time or point in the stroke when the spark should be produced to attain the efficient operation of the internal combustion engine is due in part to the fact that an appreciable interval of time elapses be tween the time when the spark is formed and the time when the pressure of the ignited Specification of Letters Patent. Patented July 25 1916 Application filed July 5, 1912.

Serial No. 707,725.

gas or mixture reaches its maximum; i. e. the lag of combustion, and in part. to the fact there is also an appreciable interval of time elapses between the time when the operation of the contact maker or timer be gins to operate and the time when the contact points are brought into engagement to close the circuit, i. 0., the lag of the contact maker.

The present invention relates to the production of an igniting mechanism by means of which the time or point of ignition is automatically varied and controlled by a governing mechanism operative by variations in the centrifugal force developed in weights revolved by or in accordance with the main shaft of the engine, and at varying distances from the axis of the revolution of the same.

Heretofore it has been suggested that a centrifugal governor similar to those used in high speed steam engines, might be ar ranged and adapted to operate and govern the spark producing mechanism, or the contact-maker, of the sparking system of an internal combustion engine, but difficulties have been encountered in trying to use centrifugal governors for this purpose, particularly in connection with those internal combustion engines such as are used for automobiles in which the speed varies so fre quently and the changes in speed are so great. I The ordinarycentrifugal governor if adjusted for low speeds becomes too sensitive and produces too great a motion at high'speeds, and converselyif adjusted for high speedsdoes not operate sufiiciently or produce motion enough for the low speeds.

This is due in part to the fact that while the amount of advance or retardation which should be given to the point. of ignition varies substantially proportional to'thespeed at which the engine runs, the amount of motion produced by the operation of the -cen-' trifugal governor is the-result of the centrifugal force produced in'the fiy balls and which force, instead of varying directly pro-- portionately to the speed, varies as the prod portionally to the speed of the engine; to

inclose the said combined device within a single casing manually adjustable with respect to the shaft upon which it is mounted, to enable the operator to advance or retard the spark manually; to provide a device in which the springs of the governing mechanism, by means of which the fly balls or weights are restrained from flying freely outwardly, do not begin to act, or are not brought into play or action until the speed of the, engine is such as to produce a low speed (e. 9., three miles an hour in a vehicle), the drag of the timeror contact mechanism, which is controlled and driven by those members of the governor which are rotatable with respect to the shaft, being made use of to counteract or control the position of the weights below'said low speed, and to bring the weights to their nearest position adjacent the shaft or member upon which the weights are mounted; and to depend upon the drag of the timer to control the advance of the rotatable member of the governing mechanism for the firstfour degrees to six degrees of such motion; that is to say, for the first small angle ofi advance during an increasing speed or for the last angle during a decreasing speed.

Further objects'of my invention are to lessen the vibration of the entire mechanism, particularly by mounting such mechanism loosely within the casing, that is to say, so that it is capable of slight motion with respect thereto, and also by certain details of construction hereinafter referred to; to pro vide a combined timer, a distributor, and governor in a substantially floating relation with respect to the casing; to lessen the noise or click of such mechanism; to prevent the rebound of the quickly operated spring actuated parts of the timer or contact mechanism, and to thus prevent any closure nf the circuit except a single closure, and that at the proper and desired time; to mount the timing mechanism and a bearing for the governing mechanism in a single block of insulating material in which are also embedded leads or conductors forconducting the current to the operative parts of the circuitclosing mechanism of the timer; to make such block or support for the timer by a molding process and to embed the said parts therein during the molding of the same; and to connect the governor or spark advancing" mechanism proper directly with the shaft by means of which the contact-do vice or maker is operated.

A further object of my invention is to provide a structure in which there are doubl leads or conductors from the battery to the opposite sides of the contact device, that is to say, to provide a structurein which the circuit is not a grounded circuit.

Another object of my invention is to provide a governor in which no spring tension whatever is employed to bring the centrifugal weights through that part of their motion nearest the operating shaft; to dispense with any springs whatever in the governor mechanism to control the Weights in their positions nearest the axis of the shaft, and between that point when the balancing springs begin to act and that position, nearest the shaft, which the Weights' will. assume when the shaft is stationary.

Other objects of my invention will appear in the specification and claims below.

Referring now to the drawings forming a part of this application and in which the same part is referred to or designated by the same reference character throughout the various views; Figure 1 is a vertical view of my improved device with parts of the mechanism shown in section; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the timer or spark producing mechanism showing its relation to the inclosed casing; Fig. 3 is a similar plan view of the timer but which 'in certain operations thereof are shown in section, and in which are also indicated the electrical connections embedded in the block or support upon which the various parts of the timer are assembled; Fig. 1 is a plan view of the metal support of the mechan-ismfor causing the contact of the contact points and the dis osition of said mechanism on said block; ig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view partly in section showing the means for locking and securing the cap to the casing; Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view of a part-of the means for locking the cap to the casing;

Fig. 7 is a detail view of the casing showing the notches in the top thereof; Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view ofthe screw or stud forming the outer end of the lubricating duct; Figs. 9, 10, and 11 are detail views of portions of the contact-forming mechanism; Fig. 12 is a plan view of the governing or advancing mechanism showing its relation to the casing, the parts being shown in the position of rest; Flg. 13 is a similar view of the same mechanism when operating at low speeds, and at the point where the coil springs are ready to begin to act;

Fig. 14 is a similar view showing the relative positions of the various parts at the highest speed; Figs. 15, 16 and 17 are diagrammatic views showing in a slightly more pronounced manner the relative positions of the weight-carrying armsand the springs cooperating therewith in Figs. 1-2, 13, and

- 14, respectively; Figs. 18 and 19 show the speed governing mechanism in plan and side elevational view respectively, but with one pair of weights or fly balls .removed in order to clearly illustrate the relations of the various parts; Fig. 20 is an elevational view partly in section of the main driving shaft, the extensions of the same and the weight carrying arms secured thereto; Figs. and 23 are detail views of one of the weights or fly balls; Fig. 24 is a plan view of the distributing member; Figs. 25 and 26 are plan views of the weight carrying arms and the pins attached thereto; Figs. 27 and 28 are side elevational views of the molded block upon which the circuit-closing mechanism is mounted, and Fig. 29 is a cross sectional view of the same.

As indicated in Figs. 1 and 20 of the drawings the electric igniting mechanism, forming the subject matter of this application, is preferably mounted upon and connected to the shaft 1, which in turn is directly connected to and operated by the crank shaft of an internal combustion engin (not shown), by the bushing 2, fitted over the end of the said shaft, and secured thereto by set-screw 3. .Said bushing 2, upon its upper end, is provided with a bearing surface 4 terminating in the shoulder 5, and fitted over said bearing surface is a spider 6, with respect to which said shaft 1 and bushing 2 are rotatable, the said spider thus forming a bearing for the said bushing and shaft. The said bushing 2 is provided at its upper end with an opening 7 axial with the shaft 1 and in which is rigidly mounted a supported pintle 8 having the collar 9 adjacent the lower end thereof. This pintle 8 is preferably secured in said opening 7 of the bushing 2 by a driving fit. This bushing 2 and the pintle 8 above described are ractically unitary with, and form a part of, the driving shaft 1. Over the collar 9 of the pintle 8 is forced, so as to be frictionally retaincl thereon, a double arm or weight carrying member 10, such as is shown in Fig. 26, said arm 10 being preferably made of stamped-out sheet metal.

Upon the upper end of the pintle 8,loosely mounted thereon so as to be rotatableawith respect thereto, is the means for actu ting the contact maker, the same comprising the shaft or bushing 11 provided with an axial opening 12 in the lower end thereof, smoothly fitting over the pintle 8 which forms a bearing therefor. This shaft or bushing 11 is provided near the lower end thereof, with an arm or weight-carrying member 13, similar but arranged complemental to the arm of weight-carrying member 10 and secured to said shaft 11 by a driving fit. Adjacent the up )er end of the shaft or bushing 11 are provi ed ratchet teeth 1% for operating the contact maker or timer, and the extreme upper end of the said shaft extends between or bushing 11 is provided with a transverse slot 15 forming a clutch member to engage a corresponding rib 16 in the bottom of an openin 17 in the distributing arm or member 18 of the distributer.

Between the arms 10 and 13 are mounted the weights of the governing mechanism by means of which the shaft or bushing 11 is given a slight angular advance or retardation with respect to the shaft 1 or the extension thereof, formed by the bushing 2 and pintle 8, as will be next described.

In order to make the construction easier to understand attention is first particularly directed to Figs. 18 and 19 in which both weight carrying arms 10 and 13 are shown but in which one pair of weights are removed; that is to say, those weights which would be mounted upon the arm 10 are removed while those which are mounted upon the arm 13 are shown. It will thus be readily seen the arm 10 is provided with a pair of upwardly extending bearing pins or studs 1920, upon which a pair of weights or fly balls may be pivoted, while the arm 13 is provided with a pair of similar but downwardly extending bearing pins, 21-22, upon which are respectively pivoted the weights or fly balls 23-24. In Fig. 19 said weights 23-24 are shown swung to their extreme outer positions in order to afford an elevational view of as many parts as possible. "he arm 10 is also provided with pins 25 and 26. Between the pin 25 on the arm 10 and pivot pin 21 on the arm 13 is arranged a coil spring 27 having its opposite ends attached respectively to the said pins. When the governor is in the position of rest shown in Fig. 8, the spring 27 is slightly longer than the distance between opposite outer sides of the said pins 25 and 21 so that the said springs do not in this position exert any tension whatever between them, nor in fact until the governing device is being driven at a speed sufficiently high to cause a slight outward movement of the balls, and a consequent small angular movement of the arm 13 withrespect to the arm 10. This feature of construction will be referred to further below. A similar coil spring 28 the pin 26 of the arm 10 and the bearing pin 22 of the arm 13. This coil spring 28 is similarly slightly longer than the distance between the opposite sides of said pins 26 and 22 as has been referred to in connection with the spring 27. Now, referring also to Fig. 12 in connection with Figs. 18 and 19, upon the bearing pin 19 of the arm 10, is mounted a weight or fly ball weight 29, and upon the other pin 20 of the said arm 10 is mounted a second fly ball or governor weight 30, similar to and arranged complementary with respect to the weights 23 and 2%. The weights 23 and 2-1 are provided further with pins 31 and 32, respectively, arranged to enter similarly disposed holes or openings 3334 with the weights 29 and 30, respectively. As has been described in connection with the arm 10, the arm 13 is also provided near its outer end with pins or studs, 3637, and between the pin or stud 36 and the bearing pin 19 is a coil spring 38 similar in construction and operation to the coil springs 27 and 28, and between the pin on stud 37 and the bearing pin 20, is a fourth coil spring 39, similar to the three springs above described.

The weights, fly balls, or centrifugal weights 23, 21, 30 and 31, are all substantially alike except that one pair of weights (21 and 30) have the pins 31 and 32, respectively, while the other pair of weights, 23 and 29, have corresponding openings 33 and 34, respectively, into which the said pins loosely fit. It will therefore be sufficient for the purpose of this disclosure to illustrate specifically but one of these weights, as for instance, the weight 23 shown particularly in Figs. 14, 15 and 16. It will be observed that the body 23 of the weight, that is to say,

that part which is most affected by centrifugal force, and moved thereby, is in width but substantially one-half the length of the pivot pins 19, 20,21 and 22, but it is provided with a spaced bearing portion 35 substantially as wide as the full length of one of said pivot pins last mentioned. This construction provides, then, a very long bearing, upon which the weight is pivotally supported and permits of interlocking arrangement of the complemental weights, the two adjacent weights occupying substantially the space ordinarily required for one. And also permits of themounting of the weights 23, 24, 29 and 30 between the arms 10 and 13 in stead of on the outside of them, results in a better distribution of the same, provides a more steady running mechanism, and enables the governor to be constructed in a very compact manner. The said weights 23 24, 29 and 30 are retained in position on their respective bearing pins by cotter-pins 40 passing through openings 41 in each of the Weight-bearing pins 19, 20, 21 and 22, said openings being preferably arranged adjacent that bearing of each weight nearest the arm on which that weight is mounted, and washers 42 being interposed between said bearing and the cotter-pin. The said centrifugal Weights are thus held so that they cannot move longitudinally upon the pivot pins on which the same are pivotally mounted, but the same are rotatable on said pins as axes, under the action of centrifugal force.

In Fig. 12 the parts above described are shown in their assembled position and relation when the shaft 1 is at rest and in this position, as is clearly shown on the drawings, the springs 27, 28, 38 and 39, are longer than the distance between the outer opposite sides of the pins upon which they are mount-- ed, andthe springs therefore in said position exert no tension between said arms 10 and 13. \Vhen, however, the shaft 1 is slowly rotated the weights are thrown outward under the action of centrifugal force and against the action of the drag of the timer, which will be described below, and thus cause a slight rotative movement, (approximately 5) in the angle which the arms 10 and 13 make with each other as compared with their relation when at rest. At this point the distance between the outer sides of the pins, 21 and 25, 22 and 26, 19 and 36, 20 and 37, respectively, will have increased until the springs engage the opposite outer sides of their respective pins, and begin to exert a restraining action on the further out ward movement of the weights or a further and greater angular motion of the arms 10 and 13 with respect to each other. From this sition to the centrifugal force of the weights. These two positions of the arms and springs are diagrammatically illustrated in Figs. 16 and 17. But the force exerted by the springs is variable and directly proportional to the variable forces of centrifugal force in weights, on account of the construction and arrangement of the springs with respect to the said arms and weights; for in the position shown in Figs. 12 and 15, that is at rest, the centers or axes of the bearing pins 19 and 20 are in a position between the arm 13, and a line as drawn through the pins 36 and 37, and the axis of the shaft 1, and similarly the pins 21 and 22 are in a position between the arm 10 and a line 3 drawn through the centers of the pins 25 and 26 and the center of axis of the shaft 1. This allows quite a considerable relative angular movement of the arms 10 and 13 with respect to each other before the springs begin to act, (they must pass to a position as far on the opposite sides of the lines 00 y), and when they do begin to act as shown in Figs. 13 and 16, the direction of the motion of the pins between which the springs respectively act is not, generally speaking, longitudinal of the spring but transverse to the direction of the spring; thus the movement of the arm 13 with respect to the arm 10, when the springs 27, 23, 38 and 39 begin to act, as shown in Fig. 16, is in the direction of the arrows 2, while the axes of the spring are substantially normal to that direction and the same is correspondingly true of the other springs 27, 28 and 38. As the speed increases, however, say to the extreme highest limit such as indicated in Figs. 13 and 17, the direction of the movement of the arm13, with respect point onward the springs act in oppo-.

to the arm 10, as indicated by the arrow w,

I material.

Y13 and 14 the outer fore at this point the efi'ect of centrifugal force upon the weights acts substantially directly upon the springs. This construction makes the springs 27, 28, 38 and 39, exert much less opposition to the relative movement of the arms at low speeds than they do at high speeds and the effect of the tension of the springs can be made to and does approximate and counterbalance the centrifugal force of the Weights at different distances from the axis of rotation. The angular advance or retardation of the arm 13 with respect to the arm 10 is in this manner made substantially proportional to the variations in the speed of the driving shaft 1. At the extreme outer limit of the movement of the weights or of the arms with respect to each other, a stop or lug 43 on the weights 30 engages a stop, lug or radial extension 44 on the arms 10 and 13, thus placing a limit upon the outward movement of the weights, and preventing them from coming into engagement with the casing described below, as shown in Fig. 14.

Mounted between the spider 6 and a lever 45 fitted over the hub 6 of the spider 6, and secured to said spider by screws 46 passing through said lever and into suitable openings in said spider, is a casing 47 provided with openings through which said screws 46 pass, said casing 47 being rigidly clamped to said. spider in the manner just described by said screws and lever. The casing 47 is preferably cylindrical in shape and may be made of sheet metal in any desired manner. The said casing is preferably closed at its upper end by a cap 48 made of insulating l/V'thin this casing 47 is contained the governing mechanism above described, and above the said governing mechanism, the timer or contact maker. Above the timer and partly mounted in the cap 48 is the distributing mechanism.

he contact maker or spark producing mechanism is, generally speaking, a mechanically operated circuit maker and breaker, but embodies certain features of construction in order to adapt the same to the governing mechanism and easing above referred to. Said contact maker comprises preferably a molded block 49 of insulating -material, circular in shape, and of an outside diameter slightly less than the internal diameter of the casing 47. By reason of this construction the block 49 may be loosely or floatingly mounted in said casing 47 so as to be capable of a slight motion with respect to the said casing. For the purpose of illustration in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 12, diameter of said block 49 is shown as spaced quite a considerable distance apart from the interior of the easing, but in actual practice the said block 49 is preferably only very slightly smaller than the interior of the casing. The said the axis of the block 49 is secured within the casing by three screws 50 extending through openings 51 in the casing 47. said openings 51 being elongated circumferentially of the casing. The vertical width of the said openings is also slightly greater than the diameter of the'heads of the said screws. Thus the said block 49 and the parts mounted thereon are capable of a slight rotative movement within said casing 47, and may also yield slightly vertically or axially of the casing.

Embedded within the block 49 of insulating material is a metal plate or member 52 providing a bearing 53 for the shaft or bushing 11, which extends through said bearing 53 sufficiently to bring the ratchet teeth 14 above said bearing. Upon this metal plate 52, which is preferably made of rass, are mounted the operative parts of the lifter mechanism for operating the circuit closer proper. This mechanism comprises a lifter or reciprocatory member 54, having its forward end provided with a pawl 55 adapted and arranged to cotiperate with the ratchet teeth 14 of the shaft 11. The opposite end of said lifter is arranged to bear against and slide longitudinally upon a supporting pin 56. The said lifter is held at all times against said pin 56 and said shaft 11, by a spring 57, having one end, secured to said lifter and the other attached to a stud 57 and tending to draw the rear end of said lifter 54 up against the. heavy weight or mass 58, acting as a stop and supported on the pin 59. The said rear end of said lifter is provided with an upturned toe 60 to provide a large surface to strike against the said part 58 of said stop, and further by its coiiperation with the pin or stud 61 to prevent the separation of said lifter from its mounting when the contact device is withdrawn from the casing. To prevent the lifter from moving transversely or in a direction parallel with the axis of the shaft 11. a screw 62 is provided having its head 62 engaging the upper or outer side of the lifter, thus retaining it in its position and serving as a guide for the lifter in its longitudinal movement or reciprocation. The inner side of the lifter bears against the upper end of the bearing 53, and laterally against the walls of a slot 56 in the stud 56. By this arrangement the lifter 54 is free to be reciprocated substantially longitudinally, and is restrained from motion parallel with shaft 11. On the upper side of the forward end of the lifter 54 is provided a sharp edge 63 adapted to cooperate with a movable-contact operatingmember 64, pivoted on a pin 65, mounted on the metal plate or block 52, said member 64 having its lower end 66 provided wlth a sharp edge 67 extending into the? path of said sharp edge 63 of the lifter on the return movement of said lifter. The angle either be made which the line drawn through the center of the pin and the sharp edge 67 of'the movable-contact operating member makes with the general direction of the longitudinal movement of the lifter is substantially 4:) degrees, that being found to be the angle which will produce a relatively great amount of movement of the movable contact operating member 64 about its pivot 65 for the small transverse movement or rise of the forward end of the lifter. small movement of the forward end of the lifter in the direction substantially radial to the axis of the shaft 11 gives a sufficiently great and positive movement of the movable contact operating member..

Said movable contact member 65 is also provided with a projection 68 arranged to engage the free end of the stifi'er member 69 of the movable contact support, 70, the opposite end of said stifi'er member 69 being riveted or otherwise secured to a resilient or 'springlike member or movable contact support 70, near that end of the same where it is mounted and supported upon a projection 71 of the block 49 of insulating material. The free end of said resilient member 71 carries a contact point 72, which will hereafter be referred to as the movable-contact-point, and the said free end of said resilient member engages the inner side of the hooklike extension 73 of the stiffer member 69. This hooklike extension 73 operates as a stop against which the free end of said resilient member 71 normally bears and prevents the independent vibration of said resilient member 71, and the consequent accidental closure of the circuit.

Mounted upon another projection 74 of the block 49 is a stiff resilient spring arm 75 adjacent the outer end of which is provided a contact point 76, and the tension of said spring arm 75 is so arranged as to cause the free unsupported end thereof to press firmly against the adjusting screw 77 mounted in a ridgelike projection 78 also on the block of said insulating material 49.' This contact point 76 although adjustable toward and away from the movable contact point 72 for the purpose of regulating the distance between the two, will be referred to as the stationary contact point for convenience an for the purpose of distinguishing the same from the contact point 72. 1

The tension of the spring-like or resilient member is suchas to cause it to press against the projection 68 on the movablecontact operating member 64, to turn said member 64 about its pivot, and to hold the free end of said member 64 up against a stop member 79. Said projection 68 should of some suitable insulating material or should be insulated from the member 64 to prevent a grounding of the A very and retarding mechanism,

circuit. The construction of this stop member 79 as well as the stop 58 will be referred to again below.

The springlike or resilient member 70 is rigidly secured to the lug or projection 71 by a screw 80 threaded into a bushing 81 molded into said block 49 of insulating material, and the end of said stiff resilient spring arm is similarly secured by a screw 82 threaded into a similar bushing 83, likewise molded into the said block 49. The adjusting screw 77 is threaded through a metallic bushing 84 similarly molded and embedded in the ridge 78 of the said block 49.

The binding screws or posts 85 and 86 to which the electric circuit is conducted to the contact-maker are mounted in a recess 87 extending in a substantially semi-circular relation to the centers of said screws 85 and 86, forming between the said screws a projection or blunt edge 88 extending in the direction of the opening 89 on said block 49, which opening is in substantial alinement with an opening 90 in the casing 47. openings form a conduit through which the double leads of a flexible cable are adapted to be brought. This blunt edge or projection 88 serves to hold the two ends of the leads of the cable separate from each other, is wedged down between said leads and keeps the bare or uninsulated ends of the leads positively separated from each other to prevent the accidental short circuiting of the electric circuit. Moreover, this blunt edge 88, crowded down between the leads of the cable, serves also to securely anchor the cable to the whole mechanism. Embedded in said block 49 of insulating material and extending from said binding screw or post 85 is an electrical conductor 91, by means of which one of the leads of the electrical cable of the circuit is connected to the bushing 81, and thence to the springlike or resilient member 70 carrying the movable contact point 72, and similarly mounted in said block 49 is a conductor 92 extending from said binding screw or post 86 to the bushing 83, and thence to the stiff resilient arm 75, which bears or carries the stationary contact point 76. The binding screws 85 and 86 are alike in construction and are both threaded into metallic blocks 93 and 94, respectively, in said block :49 of insulating material. It may here be noted that the screws 50 by means of which the block 49 and the part separated thereby are mounted within the casing 47, are similarly threaded into bushings 95 embedded in the block 49.

In order to provide for lubrication of the shaft 11 in the bearing 53, and for the lubrication of the whole governing or advancing I provide a screwopenmg 97 from the ina point in the head and through 96 having an axial ner end thereof to thence at right angles thereto Said the 13 periphery of the head, said screw being,

'opening or duct 97 will fill the chamber 99,

lubricate the shaft 11 in its bearing 53, and flowing down will keep the governing mechanism well lubricated.

The stops 58 and 79 may be similar in construction and each consists of a. relatively heavy weight or mass rigidly mounted upon the free end of a stiff pin or stud of resilient material, and so arranged that the blow or impact of the lifter 54 or the member 64 is received by the pin, or by a second weight mounted on said pin, between said first mentioned weight and the support in which said pin or stud is rigidly mounted. The stop for the lifter comprises a pin or stud 59 of stiff wire, carrying at its outer end a relatively heavy Weight 58 and a second Weight 58 between said weight 58" and the support 49, and lifted from said support by a collar flange 58. It is against this weight 58 that the. toe 60 of the lifter strikes when actuated by the spring 57. Similarly the stop for the member 64 comprises a stiff resilient pin or stud 79' carrying the weight 79" fast to the free end thereof, and a second weight 79, against which the member 64' strikes, separated from the support 49 by the flange 79'. Said weights 58 and 79 may be rigidly mounted on their respective studs, but preferably the holes through the same are slightly larger than the diameter of the studs so that the said weights are virtually relatively heavy rollers.

With stops of the construction above described the blow or impact of the parts against the same appears to be absorbed by the inertia of the weights, the slight resiliency of the pins or studs, and the yield of the weights 58 and 79 due to their loose connection with the studs, with the result that the click or noise of the impact is greatly reduced, and the moving members do not rebound from the said stops, after striking the same.

From the above it will be seen as the shaft 11 is rotated in the direction of theearrow shown in Figs. 2 and 3 the pawl 55 engages a ratchet tooth .14, and the lifter 54 will be drawn forwardly until the ratchet tooth passes out of engagement with the contacting face of the said pawl 55, whereupon the lifter' will be drawn back substantially instantaneously by the spring 57 and the flat surface of the toe 60 will strike the stop 58. In returning to this position the pawl 55 of the said lifter 54 will ride (151' the curved HM face 14 of the shaft 11v between the ratchet teeth, and in rising bring the sharp edge 63 of the lifter 54 into engagement with the cooperating sharp edge 67 of the movable-contact operating member 64, which, rocking on its pivot pin 65, moves the stiffer member 69 and the spring-like or resilient arm 71 in engagement with the hooklike extension 73 thereof upwardly until the movable-contact point 72 engages the stationary contact point 76. During this engagement of the contact points 72 and 76 the free end of the resilient arm may be forced quite away from the hooklike extension 73 to insure a sufficiently long dwell or operating engagement of the said contact points, but

' as soon as the edge 63 has moved rearwardly out of engagement with the edge 67 the tension of the resilient arm brings the movable contact operating member 64 back sharply against its stop 79, and brings the free end of said resilient member 70 instantaneously into engagement with the hook 73 just as the contact point 72 is about to move its engagement with the contact point 76, thus preventing vibration of the arm 71, and insuring an instant separation of the contact points.

The distributing mechanism is mounted above the contact-maker, partly in the upper part of the casing 47, and partly in the cap 48. The upper end of the shaft 11 is provided, as has been above described, with a transverse-slot 15, preferably located at one side of the axis of said shaft, which said slot is adapted to coiiperate with the similarly arranged slightly eccentrically disposed transverse rib 16 at the bottom of a circular recess 17 of the distributing member 18, the upper end of said shaft 11 being snugly fitted into said recess 17. Thisdistributing member 18 is preferably made of insulating material and may be molded in a manner similar to the way the block 49 is molded. This slightly eccentric arrangement of the slot 15 and the rib 16 insures the positioning of the distributing member 18 always in the same relation with respect to the shaft 11 and the ratchet teeth 14 provided therein. This distributing member 18 carries a metal plate 100 adjacent the outer end thereof preferably embedded in said member 18, and having its outer edge 101 arc-shaped and extending from the inner edge 102 of said metal plate 100, and upwardly from said distributing'member 18 is a leaf spring 103 extending radially inward to and beyond a point in axial alinement with the shaft 11. The cap 48 is also preferably of the same insulating material as is the block 49 and the distributing member 18, and is located in the upper and open end of the casing 47. This cap 48 has embedded therein the contacts or conductors of the distributing circuitsand comprise metal pins or wires 104 arranged equi-distant from the center of the said cap and extending inwardly to a position adjacent the path of the circular edge 101 of the metal plate 100. As the distributing member 18 is revolved with the shaft 11 this circular edge 101 of the metal plate 100 touches or just grazes the inner sides of the contact points or conductors 104. This cap 48 is also provided with anaxially arranged contact or lead 105 also extending inwardly from said cap into engagement with the spring 103 whereby the distributing circuit may be closed through the lead 105 and any one of the contacts or conductors 104. The contact leads or conductors 104 and 105 are each preferably embedded as aforesaid in the cap 48 and terminate in screws or posts 106 secured and extending above the top of preferably substantially cylindrical, or slightly conical, projections 107 of the cap, said screws or posts 106 being provided with lugs 108 and openings 109 for the attachment of the wires of the distributing circuit. The screws or posts 106 are also arranged to fit within the threaded lower ends and support sleeve-like extensions 110 through which the leads of the distributing circuit are adapted to be passed and secured to the lugs 108. Elastic washers 111 being preferably provided between the adjoining surface of said projections 108 and said extensions 110, to keep the terminals dry. The top surface 112 of said cap 48 is preferably substantially conical in shape so as to shed rain or snow from the top of the device. Any water will quickly run off the top surface and will not leak down into the casmg.

In order that the cap 48 may be readily put into position or removed for the purpose -of getting access to the interior of the device. the top edge of the casing 47 is provided with three preferably unequally spaced substantially bayonet notches 113, one of which may be arranged to cooperate with a suitably disposed pin or stud 114 and the other two with looking screws or studs 115. One of these bayonet notches 113 in the top edge of the casing 47 is shown in Fig. 7. Two of these bayonet notches 113 may be arranged to receive screws 115 rigidly screwed into bushings 116 molded into the said cap 48 and provided with nuts 117. As the cap is fitted over the top of the casing and the top of the notch 113 is brought into alinement with the locking screws or studs 115, the cap is forced down and given a slight turn to bring the screws 115 into the lower part of the bayonet notch 113. The nuts 117 are then turned to clamp the top of the casing 47 between the bushing 116 and the nut 117. Preferably the outer ends of the locking screws or studs are upset so as to prevent the accidental removal of the said nuts. One of the slots 113 cooperates with the stud or pin 114 rigidly secured to the bushing 118. in the cap and over this slot 113 is arranged a leaf spring 119 secured to the top of the casing 47 in any suitable manner as by rivets 120. Said leaf spring 119 is provided near its free end with an opening 121 arranged to register with and to receive the end-of the stud or pin 114. To remove thecap 48 from the casing 47 it is merely necessary to loosen the nuts 117, lift the free end of the leaf spring 119 so that the stud 114 is free from the opening 121 therein and then give the cap a slight turn relative to the casing whereupon the cap will ride up the inclined portion of the slots 113 out of the casing. By having one of the securing means different from the others, it is very easy to position the cap always the same with respect to the casing and to the mechanisms therein contained, and to avoid disturbing the adjustment of the parts. hole 121 in the leaf spring into which the stud or pin 114 snaps and fits insures the uniform positioning and retentioning of the cap with respect to the casing. If so desired, the two screws 115 may be replaced by studs or pins 114, for with the bayonet notches unevenly disposed around the top of the casing, the pins will register with the notches in only one position of the cap with respectto the casing, the spring 119 and hole 121 for one pin will hold the other said pins in their respective slots, and the cap, when removed, can be re-attached to the casing in only position with respect to the easing.

lVith the device above described arranged and assembled as shown in Fig. 1, it will be seen that as the shaft 1. which is coupled or directly driven from the driving shaft of the engine, begins to rotate, the weights 23, 24, 29 and 30 will be in their lowest positions or nearest the axis of the shaft 1, and since the extension of the shaft 1 (the shaft or bushing 11 constituting the means for operating the contact device) is provided withthe ratchet teeth 14 into which the pawl 55 of the lifter engages, at first the drag of the contact device and parts operated from said shaft 11 will be suflicient to hold and retain the said weights in their said lowest position. In this position the springs 27, 28, 38 and 39 will be inoperative because the length of said springs is longer than the distance between the outside of the pins upon which they are mounted. As the speed, however, increases the weights revolve in larger circles until they attain the position shown in Figs. 13 and 16. Between these two positions during which the extension 11 has advanced substantially about five degrees with respect to the shaft 1, substantially'the only thing which prevents the weights from flying freely outwardly is the drag of the timer or contact device. As the speed further increases, however, the springs 27, 28, 38 and 39 begin to act, but their restraint is at first The small on account of the direction of the relative motion of the pins or studs upon which the springs are mounted, which motion is approximately transverse to the axes of the springs. As the speed continues to increase the relative motion of said pins with respect to each. other approximates more and more closely to a direct pull upon the coiled springs as indicated in Figs. 14 and 17. This outward movement of the governor weights 23, 24, 29 and 30 causes then the extension 11 to move or advance with respect to'the shaft 1 and since the ratchet teeth 14 are mounted upon this shaft 11 causes the teeth of the ratchet to engage and operate the pawl at an earlier time or point with respect to the rotation of the shaft 1 than it would without such advancing mechanism, thus producing the spark earlier in the stroke of the engine. It will be also apparent that the reverse operation is true in going from a high to a lower speed. By reason of the direction which the studs or pins 19-36, the pins 2037, the pins 2125, and the pins 2026, move with respect to each other at slow and at high speeds, the resistance of the springs to the tendency of the fly balls or weights to move outwardly under the action of centrifugal force may be substantially perfectly balanced, with the result that the extension or shaft 11 is advanced substantially directly proportional to speeds at and above that indicated in Figs. 13 and 16. Inasmuch as the distributing member 18 is also mounted upon the shaft 11 that is also correspondingly advanced with the timer or contact maker, so that Whenever the lifter 54 operates to close the contact points, the metal plate 100 will be adjacent and in operative engagement with the proper contact or conductor 104 and the spark will be caused to be formed in the proper circuit and cylinder. It will therefore be seen that I have provided in a unitary structure, in a very compact commercial form, a combined mechanism for advancing or retarding the timer when the contact maker is operative to close the circuit,

and whereby the time of closure of t e circuit is caused to vary directly proportionally tothe speed of the driving shaft; that the contact-maker or circuit-closing mecha nism is operated directly by and in accordance with said governing or speed changing mechanism and that the distributing mechanism is similarly directly operated and controlled by said governing device; that the parts are arranged and assembled so as to be readily accessible forthe purpose of adjustment, and yet are so arranged and constructed as to reduce to a minimum the liability of the device getting out of adjustment; and that the whole is of such a neat appearance and small size that it may be located in any place easy of access Without being unsightly or taking up much more room than an ordinary timer. It is also to be understood that notwithstanding the fact that the mechanism is capable and will operate automatically to vary the time of the spark,

and to produce the spark at the proper time, the whole operation of the device may be adjusted and modified by and through the lever 45 by means of which the casing and the contact-maker and distributer, carried thereby, may be rotated on the drive shaft, or with respect thereto, to manually advance or retard the time for the closing of the circuit.

It is to be observed that the only direct bearing which the shaft 1 has with respect to the casing is at the bottom of the casing below the governor, and that this bearing is a relatively short one. The upper end of the shaft (the extension 11) is not directly connected to the casing but is journaled in the block 4.9. Since the block 49 is smaller in exterior diameter than the interior of the casing and is loosely connected to the casing so as to be capable of slight movement longitudinally of the casing and also transversely of the casing, the shaft and all the parts mounted thereon and operated thereby are capable of yielding slightly Within and with respect to the casing; that is to s y, the parts may have a slight vibrator} ul' longitudinal movement within the casing, which movement would not be directly communicated to the casing. The parts may be said to be floatingly mounted within the casing.

The mounting of all the operative mechanisms yieldingly in the casing in the manner above fully set forth, makes the device operate in a very steady and quiet manner, and avoids the vibration such as is ordinarily found or present in mechanisms arranged to be run at high speeds.

What I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In an igniting mechanism, the combination with a casing, of a contact device, a distributer, and a governor for controlling the operation of said contact device, all mounted within said casing, and yieldingly supported with respect to the same.

2. In an igniting mechanism the combination with a casing, of a contact device, a distributer, and a governor for controlling the operation of said contact device and said distributer, all mounted within saidcasing and yieldingly supported with respect thereto.

In an igniting mechanism the combination with a casing, of a contact device, a distributer, and a governor for controlling the operation of said contact device, all mounted within said casing, and yieldingly supported with respect thereto, said casing being manually rotatable with respect to said governor.

4. In an igniting mechanism the combination with a casing, of a. contact device, a distributer, and a governor for controlling the operation of said contact device, all mounted within said casing, and means to yieldingly support said contact device with respect to said casing.

5. In an igniting mechanism a combination with a casing, of a contact device, a distributer, and a governor for controlling the operation of said contact device, all mounted within said casing, said governor being yieldingly mounted with respect to said casing.

6. In an igniting mechanism the combination with a casing, of a contact device, a distributer, and a governor for controlling the operation of said contact device, all mounted within said casing, and yieldingly supported with respect thereto, said casing being manually rotatable with respect to said governor, said contact device and distributer being rotatable with said casing.

7. In an igniting mechanism the combination with a casing, of a contact device, a distributer, and a governor for controlling the operation of said contact device, within said casing, said casing being manually rotatable with respect to said governor, and said contact device being rotatable with said casing.

8. In an igniting mechanism the combination with a casing, of a contact device, a distributer, and a governor for controlling the operation of said contact device, all mounted within said casing, and yieldingly supported with respect thereto, said casing being rotatably adjustable with respect to said governor, said contact device and distributer being connected to said casing.

9. In an igniting mechanism the combination with a casing, of a contact device, a distributer, and a governor for controlling the operation of said contact device, all mounted within said casing, said casing being manually adjustable with respect to said governor, said contact device and distributer being connected to said casing.

10; In an igniting mechanism, the combination of a shaft provided with a member rotatable with respect to said shaft, a centrifugal governor between said shaft and said member, said member being driven from said shaft through said governor, a contact device operated by said member, and a distributer also operated by said member.

11. In an igniting mechanism the combination of a shaft provided with a member rotatable with respect to said shaft, a centrifugal vernor between said shaft and said mem said shaft through said governor, a contact device operated by saidmember, and a distributer mounted upon and operated by said member.

12. an igniting mechanism, the eombi all mounted a device, and a distributer,

r, said member being driven from nation of a shaft provided with a member axially arranged with respect to said shaft and rotatable with respect to said shaft, a centrifugal governor operatively connected to said shaft and to said member, said member being driven from said shaft through said governor, and a contact device, in which said member is journaled, operated said member, with a distributing member removably secured to and operated by said member.

13. In an igniting mechanism the combination of a shaft provided with a member axially arranged with respect to said shaft and rotatable with respect thereto, a centrifugal governor operatively connected to said shaft and said member, said member being driven from said shaft through said governor, a contact device in which said member is journaled and operated by said member, and a distributer also connected to and operated by said member.

14. In an igniting mechanism the combination of a shaft provided with a member axially arranged with respect to said shaft and rotatable with respect thereto, a centrifugal governor operatively connected to said shaft and said member, said member being driven from said shaft through said governor, a contact device in which said member is journaled, a casing and means for yieldingly supporting said contact device with respect to said casing.

15. In an igniting mechanism the combination of a governing mechanism, a contact device, and a. distributer, said governing mechanism comprising a rotatable shaft, a member axially arranged with respect to said shaft and rotatable with respect thereto, an arm on said shaft, a complemental arm on said member, a weight pivoted on one of said arms, a second weight pivoted on the other of said arms, said weights being arranged complemental to each other in havin their adjacent free portions pivoted toge her, and a spring connecting said arms together and tending to hold them in a fixed angular relation with respect to each other, said contact device being operated by said member.

16. In an igniting mechanism the combination of a governing mechanism, a contact said governing mechanism comprising a rotatable shaft, a member axially arranged with respect to said shaft and rotatable with respect thereto, an arm on said shaft, a complemental arm on said member, a weight pivoted on one of said arms, a second weight pivoted on the other of said arms, said weights being arranged complemental to each other and having their adjacent free-portions pivoted toget emand a spring connecting said arms together and tending to hold them in a fixed angular relation to each other, said contact device and said distributer being operated by said member.

17. In an igniting mechanism a combination of a governing mechanism, a contact device, and a distributer, said governing mechanism comprising a rotatable shaft, a member axially arranged with respect to said shaft and rotatable with respect thereto, an arm on said shaft, a-complemental arm on said member, a weight pivoted on one of said arms, a second weight pivoted on the other of said arms, said weights being respectively pivoted on adjacent sides of said arms, and a spring connecting said arms together and tending to hold said arms in a fixed position with respect to each other, said contact device and distributer being operated by said member.

18. In an igniting mechanism the combination of a governing mechanism, a contact device, and a distributer, said governing mechanism comprising a rotatable shaft, a member axially arranged with respect to said shaft and rotatable with respect thereto, an arm rigidly secured to said shaft, :1 comlemental arm rigidly secured to said memer, a Wei ht pivoted on one of said arms, a second weight pivoted on'the other of said arms, said Weights being arranged complemental to each other and having their free portions pivoted together, and a spring extending from the pivot of the weight on one arm to a fixed point on the arm complemental thereto and tending to hold said arms in a fixed angular relation to each other, said contact device and said distributer being operated by said member.

19. In an igniting mechanism the combination of a governing mechanism, a contact device, and a distributer, said governing mechanism comprising a rotatable shaft, a member axially arranged with respect to Said shaft and rotatable with respect thereto, a pair of oppositely extending substantially radial arms fixed on said shaft, a pair of arms complemental to said first mentioned arms, fixed on said member, a weight pivoted on one of said arms, a second weight pivoted on the other of said arms and ar ranged complemental to said first mentioned Weight, said weights having their free portions adjacent each other and pivoted together, and said weights being arranged substantially between the planes of said arms, a second pair of weights similarly pivoted to said arms respectively on the opposite side of said shaft, and springs extending from the pivots of each Weight to a fixed point in the arm complemental to that upon which the Weight is pivoted, said contact device and said distributer being operated by said member.

20. In an igniting mechanism, the combination of a governing mechanism, a contact device and a distributer, said governing mechanism comprising a shaft, a member axially arranged with respect to said shaft and rotatable with respect to said shaft, an arm fixed on said shaft, an arm fixed on said member, and weights arranged in complemcntal pairs lying substantially between the planes of said arms, each weight of a pair of weights being'pivoted to that arm upon which the other weight of said pair is not pivoted, that portion of each weight forming the journal upon which said weight is pivoted being substantially equal in length to the distance between said arms, the free portions of the weights of a pair of Weights lying adjacent each other, means to pivot said free portions together, said contact device and said distributer being operated by said member.

21. In an igniting mechanism the combination of a rotatable shaft, a pair of complemental arms, one fixed to and the other rotatable with respect to said shaft, a pair of oppositely disposed weights, one pivoted on one of said arms and the other pivoted on the other of said arms, the free portions of said weights being pivoted together, yielding means tending to draw said weights toward their position nearest said shaft; an extension of said shaft operatively connected to and driven by said member loose with respect to said shaft, and a contact mechanism and a distributer mechanism operated by said extension.

22. In an igniting mechanism the combination of a rotatable shaft, a pair of arms, one fixed to and the other rotatable with respect to said shaft, a pair of oppositely disposed weights, one pivoted on one of said arms and the other pivoted on the other of said arms, and having their free portions pivoted together, yielding means tending to hold said arms in a fixed angular relation to each other, an extension of said shaft operatively connected to and driven by said member loose with respect'to said shaft, and a contact mechanism and a distributer mechanism operated by said extension.

23. In an igniting mechanism the combination of a rotatable shaft, a pair of arms, one fixed to and the other rotatable with respect to said shaft, 'a pair of oppositively disposed weights, one pivoted on one of said arms, and the other pivoted on the other of said arms with the free portions of said weights pivoted together, a contact mechanism and a distributer driven' by said arm rotatable with respect to said shaft, the drag of said contact mechanism operating to counter-balance the centrifugal force of said weights at low speeds.

24. In an igniting mechanism the combination of a rotatable shaft, a pair of arms, one fixed to and the other rotatable with respect to said shaft, a pair of oppositively disposed weights, one pivoted on one of said arms, and the other pivoted on the other of said arms with the free portions of said weights pivoted together, a contact mechanism and a distributer driven by said arm rotatable with respect to said shaft, the drag of said contact mechanism and distributors operating to counter-balance the centrifugal force of said weights at low speeds, and yielding means substantially inoperative at low speeds connected to said arms to counter-balance the centrifugal force of said weights at high speeds.

25. In an igniting mechanism, the combination of a rotatable shaft, a pair of complemental members, one fixed to said shaft and the other rotatable with respect to said shaft, means carried by said members to cause said member which is loose with respect to said shaft to change its angular position with respect to said shaft in substantial direct proportion to variations in the rotative speed of said shaft, a Contact mechanism operatively connected to and driven by said member loose with respect to said shaft, and a distributer mechanism also driven by said member loose with respect to said shaft.

26. In an igniting mechanism the combination of a driving shaft, a governing mechanism directly coupled to said driving shaft, and comprising a member fixed to said shaft, a member rotatable with respect to said shaft, and means mounted between said members to regulate the angular advance of said loose member with respect to said fixed member, in substantially direct proportion to the speed of the rotation of said shaft, a contact mechanism and a distributer mechanism driven by said shaft through said governing mechanism, and a casing within which said mechanisms are completely inclosed and with respect to which said mechanisms are slightly movable.

27. In an igniting mechanism the combination of a driving shaft, a governing mechanism driven by said shaft and comprising a member fixed on said shaft, a member loose with respect to said shaft, means operated by centrifugal force to regu late the angular advance of said loose member with respect to said fixed member in substantially direct proportion to the variations in the speed of the rotation of the said shaft, a contact mechanism and a distributing mechanism both driven by said shaft through said governing mechanism, and a casing within which said mechanisms are inclosed.

28. In an igniting mechanism the combination of a driving shaft, a governing mechanism mounted upon said shaft and comprising a member fixed on said shaft, and a member loose with respect to said shaft, means operated by centrifugal force to regulate and determine the angular advance of said loose member with respect to said fixed member in substantially direct proportion to variations in the rotative speed of said shaft, a contact mechanism and a distributing mechanism both driven by said shaft from 'otal connection between the free and adjacent parts of said weights, a contact mechanism, and a distributer mechanism operatively connected to and driven by said second member, and a spring connecting one of said arms to the other of said arms, said springs being inoperative during the first small angle of the relative movement of said members with respect to each other under the action of centrifugal force developed in said weights, the drag of said contact device and distributing mechanism counter-balancing the force tending to support said arms before said spring begins to operate.

30. In an igniting mechanism the combination of a contact device, a distributer and a governing mechanism for controlling the operation of said contact device and said distributer, said governing mechanism comprising a weight tending to move radially under the action of centrifugal force, the drag of said contact device and distributer substantially alone operating to counter-balance said centrifugal force at the lower speeds at which the said shaft is rotated, and yielding means substantially inoperative at low speeds for counter-balancing said centrifugal force at higher speeds.

31. In an igniting mechanism the combination of a contact device, a distributer and a governing mechanism for controlling and operating said contact device and distributer, the drag of said contact device and distributer controlling said governing mechanism at the lower speeds at which said mechanism may be operated.

32. In an igniting mechanism the combination of a contact device, a distributer and a governing mechanism for controlling and operating said contact device and distributer, the drag of the devices driven by said governing mechanism being substantially alone operative to control said governing mechanism at the low speeds at which the device may be operated.

33. In an igniting mechanism the combination of a contact device, a distributer and a governing mechanism for controlling and operating said contact device and distributer, the drag of the mechanisms driven by said governor controlling said governing mechanism at the lower speeds at which the device may be operated, and yielding means to control said governing mechanism when said device is driven at the higher speeds at which it may be operated.

34. In an igniting mechanism the combination with a casing, of a contact device, a distributer and a governor for controlling the operation of said contact device and said distributer, all mounted within said casing, said contact device comprising a support of insulating material, a circuit closing mechanism mounted upon said support, said support and said casing being provided with alined openings and said support being provided with a recess extending on opposite sides of said openings, a pair of binding posts mounted in said recess in opposite sides of said opening, said recess providing an edge extending in the direction of said opening and between said binding posts, and conductors embedded in said support and connecting said posts with said circuit closing mechanism.

35. In an igniting mechanism the combination of a shaft provided with an axial member rotatable with respect to said shaft, a centrifugal governor operatively connected to said shaft and to sa d member, said member being driven from said shaft through said governor, a contact device in which said member is journaled and operated by said member, and a distributer comprising a distributing member mounted upon the end of said member.

36. In an igniting mechanism the combination of a casing, a shaft, provided with a member co-axially arranged with respect to said shaft and rotatable with respect to said shaft, a centrifugal governor operativel connected to said shaft and to said mem er, said member being driven from said shaft through said governor, a contact device comprising a support of insulating material and providing a bearing for said member, and a distributer comprising a distributing member mounted upon said shaft, and a cap of insulating material mounted upon said casing, and conductors in said cap cooperating with said distributing member.

37. In an igniting mechanism the combination of a governor, a contact device, a distributer and a casing, said governor being mounted in one end of said casing, said distributer being mounted in the opposite end of said casing, said contact device being mounted between said contact device and said governor, said casing being provided with a cap in which the terminals of the distributing circuit are mounted.

38. In an igniting mechanism the combination of a governor, a contact device, a distributer and a casing, said governor being mounted in one end of said casing, said distributer being mounted in the other end of said casing, said contact device being mounted between said governor and said distributer, said casing being provided with a cap of insulating material in which the terminals of the distributing circuit are embedded.

3?. In an igniting mechanism, the combinatlon of a governor, a contact device, a distributer and a cylindrical casing, said governor being mounted in one end of said casing, said distributer being mounted in the opposite end of said casing, said contact device being mounted between said governor and distributer, and yieldingly mounted with respect to said casing, said casing being provided with a cap having a convex upper surface in which the terminals of a distributing circuit are mounted.

40. In an igniting mechanism, the combination of a governing mechanism, a contact device, a distributer, and a cylindrical casing completely inclosing the above mentioned mechanisms, a circular support for said contact device, said support being slightly smaller in exterior diameter than the interior diameter of said casing, and being provided substantially with a bearing for said shaft.

41. The combination of a overning mechanism, a contact device, a distributer, and a cylindrical casing-completely inclosing said above mentioned mechanism and provided with circumferentially elongated openings, a circular support for said contact device, said support being slightly smaller in diameter than the interior diameter of said casing, and provided substantially with a bearing for said shaft, and pins extending radially through said openings in said casing for securing said contact devlce to said casing.

42. In an igniting mechanism, the combination of a shaft provided with a member rotatable with respect to said shaft, a centrifugal governor between said shaft and said member, said member being driven from said shaft through said governor, a ratchet on said member, a reciprocatory lifter operated by said ratchet, a circuit closer operated by said lifter, and a distributer also operated by said member.

43. In an igniting mechanism the combination of a shaft provided with a member rotatable with respect to said shaft, a centrifugal governor between said shaft and said member, said member being driven from said shaft through said governor, a contact device in which said member is journaled, a ratchet on said member, a reciprocatory lifter arranged to be advanced by said ratchet, a spring for returning said lifter to its original position when released 

